“The First Mission Trip”
Pastor David Moore
Old Testament reading: Isaiah 41:8‐13
But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Yes, all who are incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.”
Theme: The first mission trip, the disciples are sent to the lost of Israel with only a message.
We certainly may not have all the answers, I know I don’t, but what I do know, I want to share with the people because God gave me joy. And my assumption is other people want joy as well. ~D. Moore
New Testament reading: Matthew 10:5‐15
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
The disciples were sent out with parts of the story, the Cross and Resurrection is still to come. The disciples are still sent out with what they know about Jesus’ actions overserved by them, the disciples saw firsthand what Jesus did. ~D. Moore
Jesus heals. Heals a leper. Heals a paralytic. Heals a mute. Heals the centurion’s servant. Forgives the sin of a man. Heals two blind men. Drives a demon out of a man. Brings a young girl back to life.
Luke 2:11: To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
The big problem is not the healing of sick people, but that people without God will spend eternity away from God. ~D. Moore
Pray for God’s leading towards people that He wants us to interact with and for us to share the joy of Christ.
Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
John 21:15‐17: When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
A second time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter felt hurt because He said to him the third time, “Do you love me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
We have to earn the right to speak about the good news of the Gospel. ~D. Moore
Jesus tells us how to do missions. You were given the message freely, give it away freely. ~D.Moore
One of my professor’s said: Jesus is sending the disciples out, needing the people they are sent to, and at the same time, the people they are sent to need their message. The disciples are dependent on God as well as others. ~D. Moore
When we bring the good news to others it is all about what God is doing in their lives. If they receive the good news with joy, great, be joyous with them, and know that it is not about you. If they reject the good news, that’s too bad, and know that it isn’t about you.
Be courageous, use the bless model.
BLESS:
Begin with prayer
Listen with care
Eat together
Serve in love
Share your story
In your faith walk, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in His leading you. And then tell your story.
Go in faith and courage, sharing your story of Jesus.
God bless!